How did the Sahaba react to the prophet SAW when the lizard meat was brought an he didnt eat it? Did they just eat it which would be evidence for doing what the prophet didnt do. Alhamdulillah the Sahaba had understanding of this deen, so when they saw the prophet not eating the lizard meat, they asked him “aharaamun huwa?” Meaning is it Haraam? he said something like “It is not to my fancy” we dont eat this in our land.

So the Sahabi understood it that if the prophet SAW didnt eat it, it is haraam. So he asked is it haraam? This hadith proves that what the prophet didnt do is haraam unless stated by the prophet that it isint. So shaking the hand of the women is haraam unless you provide a proof stating the proves it is not haraam.

And this is the meaning of ease in our deen, it is very clear, their is nothing that complex and that if you submit to the evidence from the Quran and Sunnah and follow rightous Salaf in how they understood this deen, you will be on the safe side.

Stephen, the Quran does not go into detail about a lot of things (e.g. method of praying), this is why we have a perfect role model (Muhammed pbuh) and the hadiths act as a guide to complement the Quran to help muslims in their daily routine. The Quran does however mention lowering the gaze as by not doing so can lead to desire so why is it OK to touch another woman, regardless of the intention?

You could also argue that it could be offensive to some women not to make eye contact when speaking with them but that does not mean that we do it anyway. Muslims aren’t here to please people, we are here to please Allah (swt) so if we have to make sacrifices in the process then so be it, that’s what you are rewarded for. However, that does not mean that you misbehave in society. With regards to handshaking, we can politely refuse and explain why with a smile on your face so it’s not taken offensively. There is no necessity to shake hands, you can greet someone in a very polite manner without touching them. I do not understand why people think it’s OK to touch whilst looking is prohibited.

Also, if the “man” you are referring to in your comment is Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) then it’s totally fine to do as he did but no other man should be imitated.

May Allah (swt) guide us all as he knows best

The Quran does not forbid shaking hands between a man and woman. It is logical that if it is likely that it will lead to haram activities then it should not be done.

Quran is meant to be a message of peace so if not shaking the opposite sex’s hand causes anguish then forbidding it by a man’s decision is wrong. The Quran contains God’s message.

If you were ship wrecked and only had the Quran can you follow Islam or are you lost because you don’t have hadiths?

Just want to clarify something. Just cause there are no feelings attached on your side doesn’t mean you should some there are none from their side. It’s very common for people to have secret feelings for members of their family (even sisters or brothers) but they have to hide them cos those feelings are socially unacceptable (BTW, I’m a medical student so I’m speaking from a psychological point of view, and not just what I see in movies). If you stop hugging them, it’ll be better for all parties). PS: in Islam, cousins an marry cousins

Well said Abd Al-Baasit Khan and Brother Muslim. I do not know how you can disagree with those points. It is very important not to blindly follow one sheikh and to seek further knowledge to help clarify an issue. May Allah swt guide us all to the right path.

Sister Kelly are you a recent revert or currently learning the basics of Islam? If Sheikh Qaradhawi thinks the hadith I quoted is weak and you agree, that’s fine. What do you think of the following:

‘Aa’ishah said: Whoever among the believing women agreed to that had passed the test, and when the women agreed to that, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to them: “Go, for you have given your oath of allegiance.’ No, by Allaah, the hand of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched the hand of any woman, rather they would give their oath of allegiance with words only.” And ‘Aa’ishah said: “By Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only took the oath of allegiance from the women in the manner prescribed by Allaah, and the hand of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never touched the hand of any woman. When he had taken their oath of allegiance he would say, ‘I have accepted your oath of allegiance verbally.’”

(narrated by Muslim, 1866)

AND

It was narrated that Umaymah the daughter of Raqeeqah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “I do not shake hands with women.”

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i (4181) and Ibn Maajah, 2874; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2513.

The hadith’s above have been taken from islamqa.info so I cannot confirm the exact numbers to my knowledge.

http://islamqa.info/en/21183

Please don’t overcomplicate the issue. When I refer to Kaafir I am talking about those who are non- muslims, those who do not believe in Allah (swt) and his messenger (pbuh). I am not accusing anyone of being a kaafir here. I am talking about those who say themselves they are disbelievers, it is those people we (muslims) should not be aiming to please or imitate.

If you do not agree with the hadith’s I quoted and believe they are not authentic then let’s just talk common sense. If we (muslims) are told to lower our gaze and not speak in a soft tone with the opposite sex then why do you think touching someone of the opposite sex would be permitted under any circumstances?

Allah has given us a lot of guidance in the Quran on what we should and should not to do in terms of behaviour towards the opposite sex and we have to use our brains we have been blessed with in situations that are not clear cut in the Quran.

Also please be clear, I do not disrespect any muslim who chooses to shake hands with the opposite sex. I, myself, used to shake hands with women when I was misguided. I learned and now alhumdulillah I do not and expain why in a humble manner. I have gained more respect now than I had before. However, it is our job to guide those or are sinning. If you have islamic knowledge and you know of someone sinning and choose not to do anything about it, you will be responsible too on the day of judgement. It is therefore very important to help others to the right path.

May Allah swt guide you and the rest of us to the right path.